Suspended envoy gets five years

A special court yesterday sentenced suspended Bangladesh Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates ATM Nazimullah Chowdhury to five years' rigorous imprisonment for embezzlement of state funds through misuse of power and deception.
Judge Khandaker Kamaluzzaman of the Special Court-9 at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban complex also fined him Tk 21 lakh. If he fails to pay, he will have to serve one more year in jail.
Since Nazimullah is on the run, the sentence will come into effect the day he surrenders or is arrested.
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Deputy Director Abdullah Al Zahid filed the case with Shahbagh Police Station on May 14 this year accusing Nazimullah of causing a loss of Tk 21 lakh to the state exchequer when he was serving as the Bangladesh ambassador in Abu Dhabi.
According to the prosecution, Nazimullah on different occasions purchased different items for personal use in Abu Dhabi drawing money from government funds through illegal means.
The career diplomat shifted his residence in Abu Dhabi through misuse of power for his own benefit, causing loss to the state exchequer and also appointed two gardeners at his residence resorting to corruption and irregularities.